Michael Graham

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Michael 'Flash' Graham first kicked a football in the Northern Territory Football League in the 1960’s with the St Mary’s Football Club, commencing a career that went on to span almost three decades.

Originally from Penola in South Australia, Graham was known at the peak of his career as a full-time footballer, playing in Darwin during the NTFL, while returning to South Australia to represent Sturt in the SANFL.

Graham had successful football careers in both competitions, he won the coveted Nichols Medal in 1973/74 and was named the NT News Player of the Year the same season.

His career across both St Mary's and Sturt saw his football accomplishments expand across both Leagues and eventually, recognition at a national level. In 1978/79 Flash took home the Chaney Medal for best on ground in the NTFL Grand Final when the mighty St Mary's defeated Nightcliff to take home the flag, the same year he also took out the St Mary's Leading Goal Kicking Award.

Premierships did not stop there for Graham, with additional flags in 1983/84 and again in 1985/86. St Mary's also made Grand Final appearances in 1981/82, 1982/83 in which Flash featured. St Marys honoured the contribution of Graham during the earlier part of his career via two Club Best and Fairest Awards in 1969/70 and 1973/74.

With leadership aspirations, Graham also captained his St Marys side in 1975/76.

At Sturt Flash played 282 games, scoring 455 goals across his tenure with the side.

He played in four Grand Finals, 1974, 1976, 1978 and 1983, taking home the Premiership in 74 and 76.

Graham was named in the Sturt Team of the 20th Century and was a SANFL State Representative eleven times.

While never winning a Magarey Medal, Flash was runner-up in 1973, and third in 1982. His outstanding accomplishments were best exemplified first in 2005 with his selection in the AFL Indigenous Team of the Century, and again in 2011 being named in the SANFL Indigenous Team of the Century.

Selected in the Centre in the NTFL Back to Cyclone Team of two Decades between 1974 - 1994, Flash was also selected into the NT Superules team in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1997. He took out NT Superules Best and Fairest in 1994, and earned All-Australian selection in 1900, and 1994.

His coaching accomplishments are extensive, having coached the Darwin Buffaloes to a Grand Final in 1986/87, the Katherine Football Club in 1987/88, West Alice Football Club in the CAFL to a Premiership in 2001 befor a stint with Pioneers Football Club also in Central Australia in 2006.

We recognise the extensive contribution from a deserving servant of the sport, Michael Flash Graham, joins the AFLNT Team of the Century.